Wells called up from Iowa to start for Dempster, who goes on DL

Cubs' opening-day starter has strained right quadriceps

Tony Campana hits a single in the bottom of the sixth inning. (William DeShazer / Tribune Photo)

When Randy Wells was shipped to Triple-A Iowa in spring training, he went without complaint even though he hadn't been there in more than two years.

And now he is back with the Cubs, scheduled to start Sunday in place of Ryan Dempster, who was placed on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps.

"I'm excited to be back," he said. "Unfortunately, it's under these circumstances. Nonetheless, it's an opportunity to get up here and I'm ready to go and show them I can pitch at this level."

Wells was 7-6 with the Cubs last season but lost a rotation spot in the spring to Chris Volstad. He handled it as well as could be expected.

"You can't sit there and dwell on the negative," he said. "I went to (Iowa) and worked on some stuff and got some stuff straightened out. The ERA obviously doesn't do it justice, but the pitch quality (was good)."

Wells was 1-0 with a 9.42 ERA in three starts at Iowa.

Dempster was 1-0 with a 1.33 ERA for the Cubs. He hurt his leg during a bullpen session.

"He's much better (Saturday) but still feels it a little bit," manager Dale Sveum said. "(The DL move) was just precautionary, let him miss a couple of starts. Hopefully he'll make 31-32 starts when the season is over."

Speedy return: In preparation for moving center fielder Marlon Byrd, the Cubs recalled Tony Campana to take Dempster's spot on the roster. Wells is expected to take Byrd's roster spot Sunday.

"If you play good enough, you hope when something happens you're the guy (who is called)," Campana said. "(The role will be) same as last year: Help them win as much as I can and for me that's getting on base and running around and catching the ball in the outfield."

Campana, who went 1-for-2 in a reserve role Saturday, is expected to share time in center with Joe Mather, who started Saturday, and Reed Johnson.

Castro relieved: A day after he learned he would not be charged with sexual assault, Starlin Castro said "I learned a lot" from the ordeal, which lasted all through spring training and the early season.

"I'm happy, happy that it's over," he said. "I just want to play every day and don't think about that in my mind."

His mind may be clear but it didn't improve his defense Saturday, when he was charged with two more errors. He has seven in 15 games.

"Sometimes when I make errors it's tough for me because I think it's not going to happen because I work too much," he said. "But I'm still going to be working and concentrating."

Extra innings:Kerry Wood, who's on the disabled list, threw a light session Friday but can't be activated for another week. Wood won't talk with media until he is off the DL. ... David DeJesus has reached base safely in all nine games at Wrigley Field while hitting .323 (10-for-31). ... The Cubs have scored 27 runs in their four victories and 29 in their 11 losses.